City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Wellington vs Tokyo — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Tokyo
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 41.5 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Tokyo.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Wellington | Tokyo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,661 | $1,450 | +$211 |
| Groceries | $505 | $631 | $126 |
| Dining Out | $270 | $214 | +$56 |
| Transportation | $139 | $127 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $176 | $360 | $184 |
| Other / Misc | $249 | $218 | +$31 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Wellington
$3,000
per month
Tokyo equivalent
$2,446
per month
Only $2,446/mo in Tokyo matches $3,000/mo in Wellington — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Wellington on $3,000/month?
Living in Wellington on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,661 to rent, $505 to groceries, $270 to dining.
Can I live in Tokyo on $3,000/month?
In Tokyo, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,450 rent, $631 groceries, $214 dining.
Is Wellington or Tokyo cheaper?
Tokyo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Wellington 50.9 vs Tokyo 41.5 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Wellington worth in Tokyo?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Wellington equals ~$2,446/mo in Tokyo using COL adjustment.